If you want a lightweight, foldable wired headphone for simple listening, choose JVC HAS160B; if you need wireless calling, long battery life, and two-device switching, choose Belkin SoundForm Surround. For nurses moving between a work area and a commute, the central choice is straightforward: JVC keeps things basic and portable, while Belkin adds Bluetooth, a microphone, and over-ear coverage. Neither is a gaming headset by design, so the right fit comes down to whether you value a simple wired setup or more connected features.
JVC HAS160B vs Belkin SoundForm Surround at a Glance
• JVC HAS160B strength: lightweight on-ear design that folds flat for carrying. Trade-off: wired listening through a 3.5 mm jack, with no microphone listed.
• Belkin SoundForm Surround strength: Bluetooth 5.4, a built-in microphone with environmental noise cancellation, and up to 60 hours of battery life. Trade-off: it needs charging for wireless use and is a larger over-ear style.
• JVC HAS160B suits someone who wants straightforward headphones for music, podcasts, or a wired device connection.
• Belkin SoundForm Surround fits someone who wants wireless listening, calls, and the ability to stay connected to two devices.
• My quick read: JVC favors simplicity and a flat-folding on-ear design; Belkin offers more features for calls and device switching.
The JVC HAS160B is a wired, on-ear headphone with 30 mm dynamic drivers, soft earpads, and a flat-folding design. That combination points toward uncomplicated listening: plug it into a device with a 3.5 mm headphone jack, put it on, and listen without managing Bluetooth pairing or a battery. The fold-flat construction also makes it easier to tuck away than a fixed, non-folding headband design.
JVC lists a frequency range of 12–24,000 Hz and describes the sound as having dynamic bass and crisp highs. Those figures describe the headphone’s stated audio range, not a guarantee that every listener will hear every detail in the same way. The soft pads are intended to add comfort and sound isolation, which may help when you want to focus on audio in a busy setting. Since these are on-ear headphones, the pads rest against the ears rather than surrounding them.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-23 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
The adjustable stainless-steel headband gives the design a more substantial frame than the lightweight description alone might suggest. For a nurse who wants a no-battery option for a break, commute, or personal listening device, that can be a practical mix: compact folding, a standard 3.5 mm connection, and simple media controls. The trade-off is equally clear: the product information lists no microphone or wireless connection, so it is not the natural choice for hands-free calls or moving between devices without unplugging.
Who should skip it: Skip the JVC if wireless listening, a built-in call microphone, or two-device Bluetooth switching is essential.
The Belkin SoundForm Surround is an over-ear Bluetooth headphone built around a different kind of convenience. Bluetooth 5.4 provides wireless connection, with a stated range of up to 33 feet, and multipoint lets it remain connected to two devices at once. That setup may suit someone who listens from a phone but also wants to take a call or switch back to a laptop without repeatedly pairing from scratch.
Its built-in microphone uses environmental noise cancellation for calls, and the listed battery life is up to 60 hours. The battery detail matters for anyone who wants wireless headphones without frequent charging; still, it is not a reason to assume they never need charging. Belkin also lists a 10-minute charge time, but the sheet does not specify how much listening time that short charge provides. I would treat that figure as a charging detail, not a promise of a particular number of hours after a brief top-up.
The 40 mm dynamic drivers, over-ear placement, soft ear cups, and foldable construction make this the more feature-rich option for travel, home, or office listening. The stated frequency range is 20 Hz–20 kHz. Its packaging includes a 3.5 mm AUX cable as well as a USB-C charging and audio cable, giving it wired options in addition to Bluetooth. The main trade-off is that the larger over-ear format and rechargeable wireless design are less minimal than JVC’s on-ear wired approach. Active noise cancellation is listed, but the sheet does not provide a noise-reduction figure or establish how much outside sound it removes in a particular setting.
For nurses, the microphone and multipoint connection may be useful for personal calls or switching between a phone and another device off duty. They should not be treated as a replacement for workplace communication equipment or as a guarantee that calls will be clear in every noisy environment.
Who should skip it: Skip the Belkin if you want a lightweight, uncomplicated wired headphone that does not require battery charging for normal use.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for a simple wired connection → JVC HAS160B. It uses a 3.5 mm jack and does not require Bluetooth pairing for listening.
• Best for wireless listening → Belkin SoundForm Surround. Bluetooth 5.4 and a stated 33-foot range let you listen without staying tethered to the device.
• Best for carrying in a flat-folding on-ear form → JVC HAS160B. Its flat-folding design is specifically part of the portability story.
• Best for two-device switching → Belkin SoundForm Surround. Multipoint supports simultaneous connection to two devices.
• Best for calls between listening sessions → Belkin SoundForm Surround. It has a built-in microphone with environmental noise cancellation; JVC’s listed style is “No Mic.”
• Best for choosing between on-ear and over-ear fit → JVC for on-ear, Belkin for over-ear. The preferred fit is personal, but the placement is a real design difference.
• Best for a wired fallback alongside wireless use → Belkin SoundForm Surround. The package includes a 3.5 mm AUX cable, while JVC is wired by design.
First, check how you plan to connect. JVC is the cleaner choice if your device has a 3.5 mm headphone jack and you prefer to avoid wireless pairing. Belkin offers Bluetooth as its main connection, plus an AUX cable and a USB-C charging and audio cable in the package. That flexibility may be useful if you expect to switch between wireless and wired listening, though the available cables do not change the fact that Belkin is a rechargeable headphone when used wirelessly.
Next, think about fit rather than assuming on-ear and over-ear designs feel interchangeable. JVC’s flat earpads rest on the ears, while Belkin’s soft ear cups fit over them. JVC emphasizes soft pads and sound isolation; Belkin describes its ear cups as comfortable and says they provide immersive sound absorption. Those descriptions are not a substitute for trying a fit, and the data does not establish which will feel better for every person or over every shift.
Calls are another dividing line. Belkin has a microphone and environmental noise cancellation for calls. JVC lists media controls but no microphone, so it is better understood as a listening-first option. If “best voice assistant gaming headset for nurses” is the search behind this comparison, neither sheet establishes voice-assistant support or gaming-specific features. Belkin’s microphone and Bluetooth make it the more call-oriented of the two, but I would not infer dedicated gaming functions from that alone.
Finally, consider how you want to manage charging. JVC’s wired design avoids battery upkeep, while Belkin’s listed 60-hour battery life and USB-C cable support a long-running wireless setup. If battery management is a nuisance, JVC has the simpler routine. If freedom from a cable and the ability to switch between a phone and laptop matter more, Belkin gives you more ways to use the headphones.
My Verdict
I would choose the Belkin SoundForm Surround for a nurse who wants wireless listening, a call microphone, and two-device switching in one over-ear headphone. Its 60-hour listed battery life and included AUX option make it the more adaptable pick for personal use across different devices. I’d choose the JVC instead if my priority were a simple wired headphone that folds flat and needs no battery routine. For nurses specifically, my recommendation is Belkin when calls and wireless flexibility matter most.
No. It connects through a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Yes. It has a built-in microphone with environmental noise cancellation for calls. That feature may help with call clarity, but the data does not quantify its performance in different noise conditions.
Belkin lists active noise cancellation and microphone noise cancellation for calls. JVC describes sound isolation from its soft earpads, which is different from a listed active noise-cancellation feature. The specifications do not provide a direct, measured comparison.
That depends on which features you will use, and I can’t make a price-based value claim here. Belkin adds Bluetooth, multipoint, a microphone, and a stated 60-hour battery life; JVC offers a simpler wired, flat-folding design. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding how much those differences matter to you.
• Wantek Hybrid Active Noise vs MSI Maestro 500
• ELECDER i37 vs CHENRUIDA Open Ear Clip
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.